Percussion instrument support

ABSTRACT

An adjustable support for cymbals and other small percussion devices (traps), wherein a lug has provided therein means to define elongated parallel rails having relatively sharp edges. Mounted in the lug, and adjacent such rails, is a generally cylindrical shaft in which is formed a large number of longitudinal grooves adapted to receive the rail edges. A setscrew is provided to force the shaft against the rails, so that the rail edges seat in the grooves and lock the shaft against rotation whereby to prevent undesired movement of the cymbal (or other percussion device) which is connected to the shaft.

United States Patent [721 Inventors Josephus B. Thompson, deceased, lateof [56] References Cited Covington, Ohio, by K. E. Stade, Covington,UNlTED STATES PATENTS ffg'ggg 259,142 6/1882 Hart 248/291X afg- 0J9 1968541,774 6/1895 Mundy 287/14X Patented Feb. 1971 2,691,532 10/1954Hayner, 287/14X [73] Assignee Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc. PrimaryExaminerRoy D. Frazier a corporation of New York Assistant Examiner-JFranklin Foss Attorney-Gausewitz & Carr ABSTRACT: An adjustable supportfor cymbals and other small percussion devices (traps), wherein a lughas provided therein means to define elongated parallel rails havingrela- [54] m gp SUPPORT tively sharp edges. Mounted in the lug, andadjacent such rails, alms rawmg is a generally cylindrical shaft inwhich is formed a large [52] U.S.Cl 248/286, number of longitudinalgrooves adapted to receive the rail 84/421, 287/14 edges. A setscrew isprovided to force the shaft against the [51] Int. Cl A47f 5/00 rails, sothat the rail edges seat in the grooves and lock the [50] Field ofSearch 248/ 183, shaft against rotation whereby to prevent undesiredmove ment of the cymbal (or other percussion device) which is connectedto the shaft.

PATENTED FEB 9L9?! 3.561.71 sum 1 OF 2 //VV/VTO/?. JOSE PHl/S B.THOMPSON, DCA$E D, By K. E. STADL', ADMINISTRATOR PATEMEUFEB 919m v3561716 sum 2 [IF 2 I 4 v I v By K. E. 5740f, ADMINISTRATOR ATTOENE/S.

L mm.

PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT SUPPORT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field ofthe Invention This invention relates to the field of percussion musicalinstruments such as drummers traps, including cymbals, wood blocks, andothers.

2. Description of the Prior Art It is conventional in the indicatedfield to mount cymbals and the like onto bass drums by meansofrelatively expensive adjustable supports. This is because the repeatedvibrations caused by striking of the cymbal, wood block, etc., havetended to loosen less expensive supports such as those wherein asharp-pointed setscrew engages a knurled cylinder. The prior art,particularly in the field of relatively low-cost supports for traps, hasalso been deficient relative to such important areas as attractiveness,compactness, simplicity, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, anattractive and decorative lug has mounted therein a means to form aplurality of elongated parallel rail edges. Such edges are adapted toseat in selected ones of a large number of elongated longitudinalgrooves which are small in depth, being formed in the cylindrical arm ofa cymbal (or other) support. A setscrew is provided to urge the groovedcylinder against the rail edges, thereby rigidly locking the arm againstrotation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective viewof a bass drum having mounted thereon a cymbal support constructed inaccordance with the present invention, and which is shown as connectedto a cymbal;

FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged perspective view of the percussioninstrument support of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on line 33 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a transverse section along line 4-4 of FIG. 3. DESCRIPTION OFTHE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. I, as a bass drum Ihaving spurs 11 is adapted to support various drummer's traps includingthe illustrated cymbal I2. Cymbal 12 is suitably secured to a supportpost 13 which is preferably tubular in nature, being adapted at thelower end thereof to telescopically receive the generally vertical arm14 of an angle member I (which may be formed of steel). A setscrewconnection is provided at 16 in order to permit adjustment of thesupport post 13 to various positions along the arm 14, thus raising orlowering the cymbal 12.

The angle member also has a horizontal arm or shaft 18 which may bereferred to as a journal portion since it is adapted to rotate (to alimited extent) in a bearing 19 formed by a decorative lug. About l80 ofsuch rotation is possible, but the drummer normally rotates the anglemember I5 through a much smaller anglein order to position the cymbal 12as desired.

There will next be described the bearing or lug l9 and associatedelements, and the manner of cooperation thereof with the journal arm 18.The lug I9 has an open bottom but is otherwise closed by end walls 21and a decorative top wall 22. Formed coaxially in the end walls 21 areoversize bearing openings 23 adapted to receive the journal arm 18 inloosefitting relationship. The holes 23 are sufi'tciently large that thejournal portion 18 may rotate freely therein in the absence of theconstraint described hereinafter, thus permitting rotation of the anglemember 15 in order to adjust the position of cymbal 12.

A rail-defining member 24 formed of steel, for example, is mounted inthe open-bottomed portion of bearing lug 19. As best shown in FIG. 4,member 24 is generally rectangular in cross-sectional shape, and hasupper comers which seat against shoulder portions 26 of lug 19 in orderto limit the extent of upward insertion of the member 24 into the lug.It is emphasized that, as shown in FIG. 3, the rail-defining member 24is relatively long and fills a large portion of the open bottom oflugI9.

Asshown in FIG. 4, rail-defining member 24 has a longitudinal groove 27in the full length of the upper surface thereof, and which is adapted toreceive the lower portion of the journal arm 18. The illustrated groove27 is rectangular in section. Rail or locking edge portions 28 areformed on member 24 at the upper and outer portions of groove 27, eachsuch rail being defined by a vertical sidewall 29 of groove 27 and bythe adjacent upper surface 30 of member 24. The apexes of the rails,where surfaces 29 and 30 intersect, are relatively sharp.

The spacing between the vertical faces 29, and the depth of the groove27, are sufficiently great that a substantial proportion of thecircumference ofjournal arm 18 is received within the groove 27.Preferably, such proportion is about I00". although certain other anglesare satisfactory. In any event, the shaft angle received within groove27 should be substan tially less than since it is not desired that thefaces 29 be spaced apart by a distance equal to the outer diameterofjournal arm 18.

A large number of longitudinal and parallel grooves 31 is formedexternally on journal arm 18, such grooves being narrow, small in depth,and closely adjacent each other. Each groove is parallel to the axis ofarm I8, and is sufficiently large to receive in locking relationship alocking edge 28 (or at least the extreme apex portion thereof). Thenumber and sizes of grooves 3I are correlated to the spacing betweenfaces 29 in such manner that two spaced-apart grooves 31 willsimultaneously receive the apexes of two rails, to thus provide adoublelocking action preventing rotation ofjournal 18 in the bearing lug19.

Because the grooves 31 are numerous and closely spaced, the drummer mayposition the cymbal 12 (or other percussive device) at any one of alarge number of positions. However, because the rails 28 and grooves 31are long, there is a surprisingly high degree of rigidity in theresulting connection. Stated otherwise, the substantial lengths of therails and of the grooves create a relatively large amount of bearingarea despite the fact that the grooves are numerous and relativelyshallow.

As indicated above, the diameter of journal arm 18 is substantiallylarger than the spacing between groove walls 29. The journal arm engagesthe rail edges on one side of a diametral plane through the axis ofarm18.

The grooves 31 may be economically formed by knurling, using appropriatedies. Thereafter, the journal element may (if desired) be suitablyhardened. Although the grooves 31 may be formed by knurling, withresulting production economies, it is emphasized that there is no mereroughening or crisscrossing of the journal arm I8 but instead a preciseformation of grooves thereon which are longitudinal and parallel to theaxis of the journal I8 and are adapted to receive simultaneously the tworail edges 28. The journal arm 18 may be referred to as serrated, itbeing emphasized that the grooves or serrations 31 are sufficiently longto provide substantial bearing area relative to the rail edges 28.

A setscrew 32 is threadedly inserted through an internally threaded bossportion 33 of the upper lug wall 22. The setscrew has a relatively flator smoothly rounded lower end adapted to engage journal arm 18 at aregion diametrically opposite the groove 27 in rail-defining member 24.Thus, tightening of setscrew 32 forces the journal arm 18 downwardlyagainst the rails or locking edges 28, causing such locking edges to beforcefully received within grooves or serrations 31 in order toeffectively lock the journal portion 18 against rotation.

Prior to tightening of the screw 32, the angle member .35 is adjusted tosuch a rotated position that the cymbal I2 is located as desired.Furthermore, it is pointed out that the arm 18 is sufficiently long thata very substantial amount of adjustment thereof is permitted in the lug19, thus providing a substantial degree of adjustment of the position ofcymbal I2 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of rotation ofsupport elements I3I4.

-in the member 24 is sufficiently'deep The lower end of the setscrew 32being flat or rounded, it does not seat in grooves 31.

The lug 19 containing the rail-defining member 24 is readily mountedonthe shell 34 of the bass drum or other support. Such shell has openings36 (H0. 3) therein which are sufficiently large to receive internallythreaded lug portions 37 formed at the ends of a bearing lug 19. Screws38 are threaded upwardly into the boss portions 37 in order to clamp thebearing lug l9 tightly against the external surface of drum shell 34,the lug preferably having a decorative skirt portion 39 which serves toincrease the bearing area against the drum shell.

The depth of the rail-defining member 24 is so selected, and so relatedto shoulders 26 (FIG. 4), that member 24 is clamped tightly againstshoulders 26 when skirt 39 is drawn into close engagement with shell 34as described. Therefore, it is a simple matter to not only mount the lug19 on the shell 34 but also firmly secure the rail-defining member 24 inthe lug 19, all in response to tightening of only the two screws 38.Journal arm [8 is then inserted through the oversize openings 23,following which the setscrew is inserted and tightened in order to seatthe journal arm against the rail edges 28.

It is emphasized that the sizes ofopenings 23 are sufficiently great topermit unobstructed seating of the serrated or grooved journal arm 18 onrail edges 28. Similarly, groove 27 to pennit unimpeded seating of thegrooved journal arm on edges 28.

The described construction is characterized by relatively low cost ofmanufacture, yet it is highly decorative in nature. More importantly, iteffects a very high degree of locking of the journal arm 18 againstrotation despite the pounding and vibration incident to the playing ofpercussive musical instruments.

[claim 1. A device for use in supporting percussion musical instruments,which comprises:

a hollow lug having an openbottom;

an elongated rail-defining member having a'- longitudinal groove in oneside thereof;

said rail-defining member being seated in said lug with said one sideremote from said open bottom; the other side of said rail-definingmember being adjacent said open bottom;

fastener means to mount said-lug onthe shell of a drum with said openbottom adjacent such shell whereby said shell maintains saidrail-defining member in said lug;

a generally cylindrical arm seated on said oncsideof said rail-definingmember; said arm having formed therein a large'numbe'r of exteriorgrooves parallel to the axis of said arm and each adaptedto receive anedge portion of said rail-defining member; said edge portions of saidrail-defining member being on the opposite sides of said longitudinalgroove therein; said edge portions being sharp and being spaced apartsufficiently far that circumferentially spaced grooves in said arm willsimultaneously receive said edge portions; and a setscrew threadedthrough said lug on the side thereof remote from said open bottom toforce said arm against said edge-portions't'o thus main'tainsaid'edgeportions insaid grooves whcreby'to'lock said arm against rotation.

2. The invention as-claimed-in claim f inwhich said arm is employed inthe support of a percussion musical instrument, and is longitudinallyshiftable in said lugduring periods when said setscrew is in-a releaseposition.

3. The invention as claimed inclaim Lin whichsaid arm'extends throughopenings inxthe ends of said lug, said openings being substantiallylarger than the diameter of said armwhereby to permit lateral movementof said said lug to effect locking of said arm on'sai'd edge portions.

4. The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which said grooves on saidarm are knurled. I j

5. The invention as claimed in claim 1', inwhich said longitudinalgroovein saidrail-defining member has'a depth sufficiently great that thebottom-wall of 'sai'dlongit'udinal groove is always out of engagementwithsaid arm;

6'. The invention as-elaimedinelaim 1, inwhich the spacing between thesides of said groove in said rail-defining member is such that thepenetrated grooves in said arm are spaced circumferentially apart aboutarm relative to-

1. A device for use in supporting percussion musical instruments, whichcomprises: a hollow lug having an open bottom; an elongatedrail-defining member having a longitudinal groove in one side thereof;said rail-defining member being seated in said lug with said one sideremote from said open bottom; the other side of said rail-definingmember being adjacent said open bottom; fastener means to mount said lugon the shell of a drum with said open bottom adjacent such shell wherebysaid shell maintains said rail-defining member in said lug; a generallycylindrical arm seated on said one side of said rail-defining member;said arm having formed therein a large number of exterior groovesparallel to the axis of said arm and each adapted to receive an edgeportion of said rail-defining memBer; said edge portions of saidrail-defining member being on the opposite sides of said longitudinalgroove therein; said edge portions being sharp and being spaced apartsufficiently far that circumferentially spaced grooves in said arm willsimultaneously receive said edge portions; and a setscrew threadedthrough said lug on the side thereof remote from said open bottom toforce said arm against said edge portions to thus maintain said edgeportions in said grooves whereby to lock said arm against rotation. 2.The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which said arm is employed inthe support of a percussion musical instrument, and is longitudinallyshiftable in said lug during periods when said setscrew is in a releaseposition.
 3. The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which said armextends through openings in the ends of said lug, said openings beingsubstantially larger than the diameter of said arm whereby to permitlateral movement of said arm relative to said lug to effect locking ofsaid arm on said edge portions.
 4. The invention as claimed in claim 1,in which said grooves on said arm are knurled.
 5. The invention asclaimed in claim 1, in which said longitudinal groove in saidrail-defining member has a depth sufficiently great that the bottom wallof said longitudinal groove is always out of engagement with said arm.6. The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which the spacing between thesides of said groove in said rail-defining member is such that thepenetrated grooves in said arm are spaced circumferentially apart about100*.